At Santa Cruz High School, Anthony LaFrance easily blends in—he’s 18 years old, on the track team, and his favorite subject is English. But once the school bell rings, he unleashes his rap, R&B, and hip-hop-inspired alias, Antdog Da Beast. “The first time I touched a microphone was in seventh grade,” says LaFrance, who was visiting a radio show at UC Santa Cruz’s KZSC. When the show ended, “I started freestyling over instrumentals and heard the recording … ever since then, I’ve had the urge to make music.”

In the last two years, he has performed all over San Jose and Santa Cruz. But his favorite venue is The Catalyst—he will return to the locale on May 25 to open for Souls of Mischief (Hieroglyphics). But on Saturday, May 19, LaFrance—associated with rap/hip-hop collective, ShowTime M.O.B—will make jaws drop and booties shake with his quick tongue and signature swagger at Bravo! the first annual Youth Talent Showcase put on by Work4Youth. All proceeds will help provide summer employment for local at-risk teens. LaFrance sees the gig as “a positive event for young kids.” He will perform an original song pre-approved by the judges during tryouts. Though he’s keeping it under wraps until then, catch him on YouTube and Myspace in the meantime. Make sure to watch the video for “Thank You”—a song with video game-esque blips, released on Thanksgiving—and “Trayvon Tribute,” a compassionate response to the shooting of the Florida native, carried by beats from “Stay Scheming” by Rick Ross. LaFrance’s version of “Never Look Back” (with the same Johnny Juliano instrumentals), leaves us with inspiring advice: “Can’t be timid of the future/ that means ya ain’t ready/ you gotta be a boss/ don’t be soft like a teddy/ and you’ve gotta catch that shooting star/ ’cause if you don’t/ people won’t know who ya are.” | CYNTHIA ORGELINFO: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19. Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $10-$20. 479-6154 or visit brownpapertickets.com; visit work4youth.org. for details.

Comments (2)

...written by ...,
May 18, 2012

Trayvon was not innocent according to facts now emerging. Oscar Grant though, that's another story.

Health Screening

Leo Sun; Full Moon, Venus Retro in Leo; Saturn Direct

It’s a complex week of planetary movements, challenges, demands and callings. We’re in the time of the Leo Sun. Leo—fixed fire, gold, the heart, generous, strong, noble, the king/queen—needs appreciation and praise from everyone in order to move forward. During Leo we gain a greater sense of self-identification by recognizing our creativity. It’s therefore a perfect time for Venus retrograding in Leo. In Venus retrograde we review and re-assess values. Venus retro in Leo concerns our self as valuable, acknowledging talents, gifts, abilities and offerings. Friday, Venus re-enters Leo (29 degrees, a critical degree) continuing the retrograde to 14 degrees Leo on Sept. 6.
Friday (Full Moon) is also the (8 degrees) Leo solar festival, Festival of the Future. Leo is the heart of the sun, the heart of all that matters. When attuned to this heart, we have understanding and inclusivity. The heart of the Lion is Mitra (think “Maitreya,” the coming World Teacher). Leo prepares humanity to receive divine love from subtle sources and later to radiate that love to the kingdoms. Sirius, Ray 2, where love originates, streams through Regulus (heart of Leo), into the heart of the sun (Ray 2) and into all hearts. The heart of Leo is Regulus. Joining Venus, the love underlying all of creation appears.
Saturday is Sun/Neptune (confusion or devotion) with late night Saturn turning stationary direct. Ideas, plans and structures held long in abeyance (since March 14) slowly move forward. (Read more on Leo and the week at nightlightnews.org and Risa D’Angeles’ Facebook page, accessed through my website.)

The New Tech Nexus

Community leaders in science and technology unite to form web-based networking program

Holy Cannoli

Is Santa Cruz turning into Malibu North?

It's got a ways to go before it gets wrecked like Malibu, but I think we need to be very careful about growth.
Maria Mattioli, Santa Cruz, Psychotherapist

Bargetto Winery

A much-anticipated annual event at Bargetto Winery is the release of their very special La Vita red wine. June 7 was the day to be heralded this year, and I happily squeezed my car into their overloaded car park in eager anticipation of tasting the new La Vita nectar.